The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-08
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY.
It Will Be Located at Washington, and Bishop
Keane Will Be Placed at Its Head.
ecial to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
BALTIMORE Sept. THE board of trustees of
the proposed American Catholic university held
an important meeting to-day, at the residence
of Cardinal Gibbons. There full attend
ance of the members. viz: Cardinal Gibbons,
Archbishops Williams, of Boston; Corrigan. of
New York; Ryan, of Philadelphia; Bishops Ire
land, of ST. Paul; Spalding, of Peoria; Matyr, of
Dakota; Macs, of Covineton, KY; Rev. Drs.
Foley. of Baltmore Chappelle, of Washington;
Rev. Thos s. Lee, of Baltimore; Mgr. Farley, of
New York; the secretary of the board, and
Messrs. Thos. Waggaman. of Washington, and
Eugene Kelly, of New York. The meeting
opened by the reading letter from Pope Leo
1t says that it has been the glory of the pastors
of the church. and especially of the supreme
pontiffs earnestly to promote true knowledge
and studiously to provide that in her schools
the sciences, and especially those of
theology and philosophy. should be taught,
IN conformity with divine faith. that the
forces of revelation and reason combined should
present invincible bulwark Of faith. Hence
our predecessors, always ardently solicitous for
the education of Christian people. in the past
spared pains nor labor to found in the princi-
pal cities of Europe those great institutions of
learning-that is to say. those universities
which. in the middle ages and the centuries fol-
lowing, enriched church and state with multi
tudes of learning For this same end. from the
moment that the government of the church was
committed TO we have labored assiduously
for the revival of learning. to the end that in
the cultivation of the more important studies.
while full account should be taken of all results
which the industries of learned men have skill
fully attained, system of philosophy
should be shaped according to the wisdom
of the ancents; for there WAS no
doubt whatever in our mind that the revival of
those affecting the study of letters and every
branch of human learning. Joined with regard
for religion, would rebound greatly to the ad-
vantage of civil society. We therefore most
gladly welcome and heartily approve your pro-
ject for the erection of university. moved as
you are. by desire to promote the welfare of
ali and theiinterests of your illustrious Republic.
But In order that this noble institute shall be
happily established and continued to in
crexsing prosperity, 1t must remain under the
authority and protection of all the bishops of
the country in such wav that Its whole admin
stration shall be directed by chem through
tain bishops selected for that purpose, whose
right and duty it shall be to regulate the system
of study, to make rules of discipline, to select
the professors and other officials Of the univer-
slty, and to ordain whatever else pertains
to it's best government. And it is
fitting that whatever shall be established con-
cerning all these things shall be presented to
this apostolic see for its approval But as to
the choice of the city in which the university is
to be erected we desire that counsel be taken
with all the bishops of the United States and
that the question oe decided after the opinion of
all has been asked.
university building submitted by Arch
bishop Williams, chairman of the committee
on architecture The designs and drawings of
the buildings were prepared by architect E. F.
Baldwin of Baltimore They were adopted in
their entirety. The choice of a rector then
in order, and Rt. Rev. John Keane. of Rich
rnond, elected by unanimous vote first
rector of the American Catholic University.
The selection of the place in which to locate
the university next came up This question
decided by a vote of all the bishops in the United
States, whose wishes in the matter had been
conveyed to Baltimore by mail When the bal
lots we're counted it was found that large ma
jority in favor of the National capital. and
Washington declared by the cardinal pre-
siding the seat of the university. Archbishop
Williams, Rector keane. and Thos. Waggaman
were selected building COMMITTEES 1t was
decided to begin the erection of the buildings
Immediately, upon the selection Of another site
in Washington other than the one selected last
fall. A collection committee was selected, con-
ssting of ali archbishops and bishops of the
board Of trustees.